Witch hazel all the way. That Vapo Rub idea is...bold, to say the least. Wow. Ouch. darn. Even Kerry is sitting here shuddering at the idea of putting vaporub on your butt. Plus, Witch hazel is cheap. Also, you can try super-hot compresses; that was a trick my Mom passed on to me. If you have a detachable shower head, you can turn it on hot and give yourself a good spray as well.

Prep H is probably as natural as Vaporub, anyway. PH ingredients are petrolatum, mineral oil, shark oil, and cortisone. Heavy oils to protect and soothe the area and anti-inflammatory. I don't have a jar of the Vicks, but it probably has a few of the same heavy oils plus menthol and eucalyptus to boot."Let me light my lamp,"Says the star,"And never debateIf it will help to remove the darkness."-- Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore

I do hot baths and showers and some witch hazel and hemmie cream. I found that if I am flaring I need to use the cream each time I go so the hemmies don't get as angry The witch hazel works well, I bought some wipes with witch hazel and they were soothing to use.

I use Calmoseptine for irritation in that area, and it has menthol in it. The first couple times it felt weird, but after that it was very cooling and helped with any itching. I'd use this stuff before I tried Vick's. If I remember correctly, Vick's is very thick and sticky and would require some scrubbing to remove- probably not something you'd enjoy in an already inflammed area if you had a bad reaction.

Gasp. Choke. THANK YOU for giving me the best laugh I have had in ages! I have to share this story:

My hubby and I went back to his small home town in the back woods of Maine to visit family & friends and for his high school reunion. One of his best friends whilst growing up and we spent quite a bit of time together and then all of a sudden "Frankie" disappeared.

No one saw him for 3 days. Our last day before leaving we stopped at his parent's home and just before we were ready to leave "Frankie" showed up. Of course we all had to ask where he'd been, gave him a rough time about having gone on a "bender", etc. and he said NO, he'd had some bad hemorrhoids start acting up and his *&#^% father told him to put some Vicks on them.

Now whether his dad REALLY told him to put Vicks on them or whether he said Vaseline and "Frankie" mixed the two up we will never know 'cause on accountta his dad was admitting to nothing whilst choking up and doubling over w/laughter so bad as were we all. "Frankie's" hemmorrhoids were the highlight of our two week trip!!!!

To this day, no one can mention hemorrhoids around ANY of us who were there w/o our breaking out into a choking, doubling over laughter. And no one EVER lets "Frankie" live that episode down!

By now, I"m sure you've figured out that hemorrhoids and Vicks are NOT really on friendly or compatible terms! And I assure you, were "Frankie" here, he would advise you against it ... unless he knew you fairly well ... he's not above pulling a prank like that on someone else if he can sucker them into it.

Those tough old Maine-iac backwoodsmen have a wicked sense of humor!!!

Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Not in this lifetime. Witch Hazel yes, works great. My butt is on fire just thinking about it.

We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.

Rosebud Salve is sold at Sephora. It is used for minor burns and diaper rash according to the packaging. The tin costs about $6.00 and is very well worth the money.36 year old female. Dx'd and undx'd a few times. Was just redx'd again 04/2007.

History of rectal abscesses and fistulas (28 surgeries including abscess I & D, exploratory surgeries, 2 C-ton drains and 1 fistula plug) Count does not include self bursting abscesses.

1st Remicade infusion 6/5/07. Lots of joint pain, and a new fistula since the 2nd infusion 6/19.

ginger, i see u have a fistula plug...i dont know if imm allowed to post it here...i was just wondering how it was working...i have perianal crohns as well and currently have an ostomy due to it...i want to try that rosebud salve too! i just have a fear of getting too up close and personal with my bum. As if thats possible in my situation :o/25 y/o female- crohns disease since 14Ileostomy pending-very worriedTried asacol,pentasa,prednisone,remicade,6mp,azasan, no availSeatons placedWorst year ever!

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear....." Where does mine come from?!

Getting up close and personal w/ your bum: I was teh same way. Found myself putting on some vinyl gloves (even double up if you wanna!), take a deep breath, let it out, and just do what you gotta. I'm really fussy, too. I have to be clean before I put anything else on, like prep H etc. so I usually take a baby wipe to the area first."Let me light my lamp,"Says the star,"And never debateIf it will help to remove the darkness."-- Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore

I'm glad everyone found this so amusing! The person who recommended it to me was dead serious and I actually did a web search and there are a few websites that state it does work along with apple cider vinegar, witch hazel and the usual OTC preperations. I'm obviously not going to try it but geesh people you sure know how to take a legitamet question and make someone feel stupid for asking it.

31year old female

CD of Terminal Illeum and Rectum Diagnosed 12/04

Unable/Unwilling to use immunosuppressents due to Melanoma history in 2000.

Goshes, WantRelief!!! It wasn't at all a stupid question! When one has doubts about something someone has advised them to do, it is always better to question that advice and double check for an answer! Always.

Your own good common sense prompted you to post the question. But you also were willing to learn whether it "might" work. I respect that and you for asking.

No one here was laughing AT you!!! I'm truly sorry you've felt that we were! The ONLY stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked. Forgive us for sharing our humorous stories about what happened to us or to others on this issue.

Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Wantrelief-no one's making fun of you your post sounded like you were making fun of the suggestion. Sorry if we upset you.

benwhistle, LOL-probably still doesn't smell that good!

Praying4healing....I had a failed fistula plug. The procedure was done incorrectly according to my current surgeon.She wants to try the procedure again. I just have to decide if I want to go through with it. It was very painful and once the fistula closed, a new fistula blew out in another spot. I am seeing Dr. Ky at Mt. Sinai and she is on some board for the fistula plug surgery so she has the most up to date info. I just don't know what I'll do. Feel free to page or email me if you want more info.

36 year old female. Dx'd and undx'd a few times. Was just redx'd again 04/2007.

History of rectal abscesses and fistulas (28 surgeries including abscess I & D, exploratory surgeries, 2 C-ton drains and 1 fistula plug) Count does not include self bursting abscesses.

1st Remicade infusion 6/5/07. Lots of joint pain, and a new fistula since the 2nd infusion 6/19.